Inundation Maps Induced by Dam Failures - I-GUIDE Aging Dam Project

This data repository is connected with a manuscript entitled \"Socioeconomic characteristics of at-risk populations impacted by the aging dam infrastructure in the USA - Who is facing the risk of potential dam failures? \"

Abstract of the manuscript:
The dam infrastructure in the conterminous United States (CONUS) has exceeded its designed service lives to a large extent, posing an increased risk of failures that can cause catastrophic disasters with substantial economic and human losses. However, limited attention has been paid to the characteristics of at-risk populations, hindering adequate understanding and preparedness for emergency planning. Our study proposes a framework employing spatial metrics to discover where and whether socially vulnerable populations are more exposed to flood inundation risks induced by dam failures. By applying the framework to 345 dams in the CONUS, we found that characteristics of at-risk populations vary extensively across space. To better understand this spatial variability, we categorized the dams into five clusters based on at-risk population characteristics. We find that of the dams analyzed, those in California, New England, and the Upper Mississippi basin, pose particularly high consequential risks for socially vulnerable populations.

The naming convention of inundation maps:
Syntax: [Water Level]_[Breach Condition]_[NID Dam ID]
* Water Level:
- MH: Maximum Height
- TAS: Top of Active Storage
- NH: Normal Height

* Breach Condition:
- F: Fail
- S: Stable

For example, 'MH_F_CA10022' indicates inundation maps induced by the failure of the dam (CA10022) under the Maximum Height (MH) and Breach (F) scenario. The original data is available at the National Inventory of Dams (https://nid.sec.usace.army.mil/viewer/index.html).